I read this book several times, many years ago. It took over my mind, I became obsessed with the story and the characters in a way that oddly mirrorsI read this book several times, many years ago. It took over my mind, I became obsessed with the story and the characters in a way that oddly mirrors the core theme of the book. At a distance of more than 15 years I can only suspect this may have had something to do with the medications I was on at the time. Still, Foster Wallace is brilliant, and this book is a marvellous, complex and chaotic product of a brilliant mind....more

I found this in a secondhand bookstore, starting reading on a flight and could not stop. Unsurprisingly Alda is warm, generous, good-spirited and veryI found this in a secondhand bookstore, starting reading on a flight and could not stop. Unsurprisingly Alda is warm, generous, good-spirited and very funny as he recounts the stories of his childhood. What was more surprising was the humility and wisdom he brings to those stories, and just what a wonderful writer he his. I'm off to buy his newer memoir "Things I Overheard While Talking To Myself"...more

Elegant, passionate, compassionate and witty. I gobbled this up and will have to go back and re-read to suck the goodness from the bones of this wondeElegant, passionate, compassionate and witty. I gobbled this up and will have to go back and re-read to suck the goodness from the bones of this wonderful memoir. ...more

I'm usually a big fan of Eggers, and I really enjoyed the concept and narrative in this book - but the characters just didn't quite connect for me, soI'm usually a big fan of Eggers, and I really enjoyed the concept and narrative in this book - but the characters just didn't quite connect for me, so I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. But a really important, interesting story, definitely worth a read. ...more